Golf training apparatus

ABSTRACT

A golf training apparatus is broadly described as comprising a shaft, a grip mounted on a first end of the shaft, and an enclosure mounted on a second end of the shaft. The enclosure includes first and second portions hingedly connected and maintained in a first position via a force created by a spring. The force is sufficiently strong to maintain the first and second portions in the first position enclosing a ball therein, and to release the first and second portions from the first position and the ball during a swinging movement. A related method of training a golfer to swing a golf club includes the steps of providing a golf club having an enclosure mounted on an end of a shaft, positioning a ball within the enclosure, swinging the golf club in a manner that mimics striking the ball if the ball were lying on the ground or positioned on a tee, observing a flight path of the ball after the ball is released from the enclosure, and identifying one or more issues relating to the golfer&#39;s swing for correction.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/362,284, filed Jul. 14, 2016 the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates generally to a golf training apparatus, and more particularly to an apparatus for improving a golfer's swing mechanics.

BACKGROUND

Golf remains a highly popular sport across the world for persons of all ages and skill levels. Regardless of experience, players are constantly striving to improve their golf game primarily by improving their swing. While there are several golf training aids on the market, they typically preclude the user's freedom of movement in an attempt to force an improved swing. Rather than restricting the movement of the user, it would be preferable if the golf training apparatus provided the player with a visual representation of the flight and direction of the golf ball resulting from the player's swing. Such a visual representation would allows the player to best analyze the quality of their swing and to refine it as necessary.

Accordingly, a need is identified for a golf training apparatus that is designed to provide users visual information regarding the trajectory and flight of a golf ball resulting from the user's swing. The apparatus could be used in place of a standard golf club during training and could be easily modified to mimic a variety of standard clubs (e.g., driver, 3 wood, and irons 1-9) and to account for varying heights of users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the purposes and benefits described herein, a golf training apparatus is provided. The golf training apparatus may be broadly described as comprising a shaft, a grip mounted on a first end of said shaft, and an enclosure for receiving a ball mounted on a second end of said shaft, said enclosure having first and second portions hingedly connected and maintained in a first position via a force created by a spring.

In another possible embodiment, the force created by said spring is sufficient to maintain said first and second portions in the first position, and to release said first and second portions from the first position allowing the ball to be released from the enclosure during a swinging movement.

In yet another possible embodiment, the first and second portions form a clamshell type enclosure. In still another, the first and second portions are first and second halves.

In one other possible embodiment, the golf training apparatus further includes a knob for adjusting the force created by said spring.

In still yet another possible embodiment, the golf training apparatus further includes an adjustment bar extending from said spring and resting on a nut positioned on said screw such that rotation of said knob rotates said screw and moves said nut along said screw thereby adjusting the force of said spring.

In one other possible embodiment, a golf training apparatus includes a shaft, a grip mounted on a first end of said shaft, an enclosure mounted on a second end of said shaft, said enclosure having first and second portions connected by a hinge, and a spring associated with said hinge, said spring maintains said first and second portions in a closed position wherein a ball is maintained within said enclosure and allows said first and second portions to rotate to an open position wherein the ball is released from said enclosure during a swinging movement.

In another possible embodiment, the first and second portions form a clamshell type enclosure. In another, the first and second portions are first and second halves.

In still one other possible embodiment, the golf training apparatus further includes a knob for adjusting a force created by said spring. In another, rotation of said knob rotates a screw thereby moving a nut positioned on said screw and raising or lowering an adjustment bar extending from said spring and adjusting the force of said spring.

In accordance with another aspect, a method of training a golfer to swing a golf club is provided. The method may be broadly described as comprising the steps of: (a) providing a golf club having an enclosure mounted on an end of a shaft, said enclosure having first and second hingedly connected portions normally maintained in a closed position by a spring; (b) positioning a ball within said enclosure; (c) swinging said golf club in a manner that mimics striking the ball if the ball were lying on the ground or positioned on a tee; (d) observing a flight path of the ball after the ball is released from said enclosure; and (e) identifying one or more issues relating to the golfer's swing for correction.

In one other possible embodiment, the hingedly connected portions form a clamshell type enclosure.

In yet another possible embodiment, the spring is associated with a hinge, said spring maintains said hingedly connected portions in the normally closed position wherein the ball is maintained within said enclosure and allows said hingedly connected portions to rotate to an open position wherein the ball is released from within said enclosure during the swinging step.

In still another possible embodiment, the hingedly connected portions are first and second halves.

In another possible embodiment, the golf club further includes a knob for adjusting a force created by said spring. In another, rotation of said knob rotates a screw thereby moving a nut positioned thereon and raising or lowering an adjustment bar extending from said spring and adjusting the force of said spring.

In still another possible embodiment, the step of observing a flight path of the ball includes the steps of recording the flight path of the ball on a tangible medium and watching the recording.

In the following description, there are shown and described several embodiments of the golf training apparatus. As it should be realized, the apparatus is capable of other, different embodiments and their several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the apparatus as set forth and described in the following claims.

Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the golf training apparatus and related method of training together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golf training device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cross section of an enclosure of the golf training device having a ball positioned therein in a first or closed position; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the enclosure of the golf training device in a second or open position showing the ball partially released from the enclosure.

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the golf training apparatus, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures, wherein like numerals are used to represent like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1-3, which illustrate a golf training apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the golf training apparatus includes a shaft 12 having a grip 14 mounted on a first end and an enclosure 16 mounted on a second end of the shaft in place of a traditional golf club head. The shaft 12 of the golf training apparatus 10 can be adjusted in length to mimic a variety of standard golf clubs (e.g., a driver, a three wood, and irons 1-9) and to account for varying heights of users.

As shown in FIG. 2, the enclosure 16 is designed to receive a ball 18. An exterior surface of the enclosure 16 may take any form, including the look of a traditional golf club head. Depending on where the golf training apparatus 10 is utilized, the ball may be a traditional golf ball, a limited flight or range ball, or even a lighter ball (e.g., a foam or a plastic) for use indoors.

As further shown, the enclosure 16 includes first and second portions 20, 22 connected by a hinge 24 generally forming a clamshell type enclosure. In the described embodiment, the first and second portions 20, 22 are shaped differently with the first portion forming a larger portion of the enclosure 16. In other embodiments, the first and second portions 20, 22 may be substantially mirror images of one another or first and second halves in other words.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hinge 24 includes first and second tabs 26, 28 extending from the first and second portions 20, 22 respectively. A pin 30 extends through the first and second tabs 26, 28 and a spring 32 is positioned over the pin 30 and generates a spring force sufficient to maintain the first and second portions 20, 22 of enclosure 16 in a closed position as shown in FIG. 2. In the described embodiment, the spring force is adjustable to account for various swing speeds. Adjusting the spring force makes the golf training apparatus 10 ideal for all swing speeds and allows users with low club head speed to improve their swing speed which adds distance to the length of their ball flight.

In the described embodiment, an adjustment knob 34 is provided at a base of the shaft 12 on the first portion 20 of the enclosure 16 to support adjustment of the spring force. Rotating the adjustment knob 34 rotates a screw 36 linked by an adjustment bar 38 to the spring 32. As the screw 36 rotates, a nut 40 positioned on the screw 36 is moved up or down along the screw. Movement of the nut 40 raises or lowers the adjustment bar 38 thereby changing the spring force. In other embodiments, the spring force may be fixed, depending on the swing speed of the user or otherwise, thereby eliminating the need for an adjustment knob and related hardware.

As shown in FIG. 2, the ball 18 is initially placed in the enclosure 16. The enclosure 16 is designed to be opened by a force of a downswing motion. As the user swings the golf training apparatus 10 downward (like a normal golf swing), the resultant down force overcomes the force of the spring allowing the hingedly connected portions 20, 22 of the enclosure 16 to open as shown in FIG. 3. The opening of the enclosure 16 results in exposure and release of the ball 18 initially secured within the enclosure's interior. As the ball 18 is released from the enclosure 16, the user can observe a flight path of the ball. Based on the trajectory of the ball 18, the user may identify and correct issues with the swing. In accordance with the broadest aspects of the invention, the spring 32 may take any form sufficient to maintain the first and second portions 20, 22 in a closed position and to release a ball during a swinging motion.

In use, the ball 18 is positioned within the enclosure 16 of the golf training apparatus 10. This is accomplished by manually opening the first and second portions 20, 22 of the enclosure 16. The user then swings the golf training apparatus 10 in a manner that mimics striking a ball if the ball were lying on the ground or positioned on a tee. In other words, the user swings the golf training apparatus 10 like they would a golf club. As indicated above, the force created by the downward swing is sufficient to overcome the spring force maintaining the first and second portions 20, 22 in the closed position thereby releasing the ball 18 from the enclosure 16 as if it were a real golf ball being struck. The flight path of the ball after the ball is released may then be observed by the user which teaches the user to follow through to the target. Depending upon the flight path of the ball, one or more issues relating to the user's golf swing may be identified for correction.

Even more, the flight path of the ball resulting from the opening of the enclosure 16 may be recorded on a tangible medium. The step of recording the flight of the ball on a tangible medium allows the user watch the recording and to engage in a more detailed analysis of the swing as desired.

In summary, numerous benefits result from a golf training apparatus 10 as illustrated in this document. The golf training apparatus 10 clearly shows the user the flight path of their ball which assists in visualizing the shot and the results. Further, the golf training apparatus improves the user's follow through, helps the user make a fuller shoulder turn, helps maintain good swing tempo, higher ball flight, and helps the user maintain their hands ahead of the golf club head (enclosure for the training apparatus) at impact which helps compress the ball.

The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. 

What is claimed:
 1. A golf training apparatus, comprising: a shaft; a grip mounted on a first end of said shaft; and an enclosure for receiving a ball mounted on a second end of said shaft, said enclosure having first and second portions hingedly connected and maintained in a first position via a force created by a spring.
 2. The golf training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the force created by said spring is sufficient to maintain said first and second portions in the first position, and to release said first and second portions from the first position allowing the ball to be released from the enclosure during a swinging movement.
 3. The golf training apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first and second portions form a clamshell type enclosure.
 4. The golf training apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first and second portions are first and second halves.
 5. The golf training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a knob for adjusting the force created by said spring.
 6. The golf training apparatus of claim 5, further comprising an adjustment bar extending from said spring and resting on a nut positioned on said screw such that rotation of said knob rotates said screw and moves said nut along said screw thereby adjusting the force of said spring.
 7. A golf training apparatus, comprising: a shaft; a grip mounted on a first end of said shaft; an enclosure mounted on a second end of said shaft, said enclosure having first and second portions connected by a hinge; and a spring associated with said hinge, said spring maintains said first and second portions in a closed position wherein a ball is maintained within said enclosure and allows said first and second portions to rotate to an open position wherein the ball is released from said enclosure during a swinging movement.
 8. The golf training apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first and second portions form a clamshell type enclosure.
 9. The golf training apparatus of claim 7, wherein said first and second portions are first and second halves.
 10. The golf training apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a knob for adjusting a force created by said spring.
 11. The golf training apparatus of claim 10, whereby rotation of said knob rotates a screw thereby moving a nut positioned on said screw and raising or lowering an adjustment bar extending from said spring and adjusting the force of said spring.
 12. A method of training a golfer to swing a golf club, comprising the steps of: providing a golf club having an enclosure mounted on an end of a shaft, said enclosure having first and second hingedly connected portions normally maintained in a closed position by a spring; positioning a ball within said enclosure; swinging said golf club in a manner that mimics striking the ball if the ball were lying on the ground or positioned on a tee; observing a flight path of the ball after the ball is released from said enclosure; and identifying one or more issues relating to the golfer's swing for correction.
 13. The method of training a golfer to swing a golf club of claim 12, wherein said hingedly connected portions form a clamshell type enclosure.
 14. The method of training a golfer to swing a golf club of claim 12, wherein said spring is associated with a hinge, said spring maintains said hingedly connected portions in the normally closed position wherein the ball is maintained within said enclosure and allows said hingedly connected portions to rotate to an open position wherein the ball is released from within said enclosure during the swinging step.
 15. The method of training a golfer to swing a golf club of claim 12, wherein hingedly connected portions are first and second halves.
 16. The method of training a golfer to swing a golf club of claim 12, wherein said golf club further includes a knob for adjusting a force created by said spring.
 17. The method of training a golfer to swing a golf club of claim 16, whereby rotation of said knob rotates a screw thereby moving a nut positioned thereon and raising or lowering an adjustment bar extending from said spring and adjusting the force of said spring.
 18. The method of training a golfer to swing a golf club of claim 17, wherein the step of observing a flight path of the ball includes the steps of recording the flight path of the ball on a tangible medium and watching the recording.
 19. The method of training a golfer to swing a golf club of claim 12, wherein the step of observing a flight path of the ball includes the steps of recording the flight path of the ball on a tangible medium and watching the recording.
 20. The method of training a golfer to swing a golf club of claim 19, wherein said golf club further includes a knob for adjusting a force created by said spring. 